Improvement in machinery for making paper boxes



No. 101,455." PATENTED APR. 5, 1870.

y F. GATES.

MACHINERY FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

' 4 sums-sum 1.

No. 101,455. r PATENTED APR. 5, 1870.

' F. GATES.

MACHINERY FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1%. 101,455. PATENTED APR. 5, 1870.

F. GATES.

MACHINERY FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

"PATEQNTED APR. 5, 1870.

, P. GATES. MACHINERY FOR MAKING PAPER BOXES.

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new san pace new.

FREDERIOKGATES'OF VINELAND, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM GATES, OF FRANKFORT, NEW'YORK.

Letters Patent No. 1c1,455,aatea April 5, 1870;

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING ak PER BOXES.

m Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making paxf of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GATES, of Vineland, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Paper- Box Machine; and I do hereby declare that the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part .of'this specification.

' This invention relates to a new machine for making rectangular boxes from rolls of paste-board, strawboard, paper or other suitable material; and has for its object to produce an apparatus which operates continually, so that while one box is being formed others already formed are dried, while the paper or strawboard for othersis beingi'edand cut. I

The invention consists,-"first, in so constructing an endless chain of boxes orreceptacles for receiving the completed paper or paste-board boxes that, as the machine is. inoperation, this endless chain will travel around to receive'the boxes to hold them for drying, and to discharge them when the gum has become dry,

:thedischarging apparat us, being a reciprocating pluntionary plates by which the aforesaid folding-plates of the'chain-receptaclesare automatically swung in and out as the chain is in motion.

. Theinvention consists, foulthly, in a novel mechanism for propelling the chain by means of a series of dogs attached to a horizontal plate.

The invention consists, fifthly, in the application of a reciprocating plunger, follower, and of side and end pieces or moldsi'or iorming a paper or paste-board box. The invention consists, sixthly', in a peculiar mode of combining the-incisor, knives, and the blank-cuttels, as will be more fully described hereafter.

The invent-ion consists, seventhly, in the application of wire or slotted guides on which the paste-board or paper is supported during its passage from the feedrollers to the cutting and molding apparatus, in combination with the teed-rollers set a convenient distance from the cutting apparatus, to push the material fora ward toward the same.

The invention consists, eighthly, in the mechanism for operating the cutting-knife, whereby the same is thrown up immediately after having made an incision,

to allow the material to be moved forward after having been out.

The invention consists, ninthly, in providing springs on the beds of the nicking-knives to prevent them from pushing the edges ofthe material down; said the knives pass through it.

The invention consists, tenthly, in so attaching the end and side pieces of the mold that they can be readily removed and replaced.

The invention consists, eleventhly, in making the springs supporting and holding up the material while aforesaid end and side pieces of the mold so that they can slide, and in providing them with springs to have them pushed against the plunger while the same movesv down, to hold the turned-up sides of the box in the proper vertical position.

The 'iuventionc'onsists', twell'thly', In'the applicationof stationary side and end pieces below. the sliding ones, for holding-the sides of the box firmly againsttheplungergland ,for preventing the plunger from drawing the boxnp again after said box hasbeendeposited in the chain receptacle. I

The invention consists, thirteethly, in providing a series of horizontal folders which turn the extremities of the sides of the box around the ends of the box,

so that the parts thusfoldedwill', when pasted to the ends, retain themand the sidesin an upright position. The invention, consists, fourteenthly, inproviding'a mechanism for arresting the follower when it is pushed 'down, to allow the chaiuwith the new-formed boxto pass over it; andin the use of devicesfor again disengaging the sameiwhen a new receptacleof the chain has arrived-over it.

The invention, consists, fifteenthly, in the application of a reciprocating plunger for discharging the boxes from the chain and from the machine.

The invention consists further in. the general arrangement and combination of cams on the drivingshaft forjmparting the requisite motion to all parts of the machine; f

Also, in combining the forming perforated plunger with a recessed follower, so that the box will not be apt to be drawn up.

The invention further consists in the general arrangement and combination of parts for producing a continuous-acting automatic paper-box machine; and

finally in the process of making boxes by turning the extremities of the sides around the ends of the box,

as hereinafter more fully described.

.In the accompanying sheets of drawing- Figure 1, vPlate I, represents a side elevation of myimproved paper-box machine.

Figure 2, Plate II, is aplan or top view of the same. Figure 3, Plate III, is a vertical transverse section of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line a: z, fig. 1.

Figure 4, Plate IV, is a vertical longitudinal section of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line y y, fig. 2.

Figure 5, Plate IV, is a detailv inverted plan view of the platform that supports the molding apparatus.

Figure 6, Plate IV, isan inverted plan view of the feeding-plate, and of the device for holding the follower down.

Figure 7, Plate IV, is a detail face view of a separated sheet trom which the box is to be formed.

Figure 8, Plate IV, is a detail plan view of a box, whose sides and ends are turned up, but which has \the side pieces not bent in.

Figure 9, Plate- IV, is a detail plan view of a finishcd box as made by my improved machine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A in the drawing represents the frame proved paper-box machine.

It consists of suitable upright and horizontal side and cross-bars, and supports a horizontal platform, B,

of my iniupon which the main mechanism of my machine is-se-' cured.

The horizontal driving-axle C has its bearings in" the lower part of the frame A, and receives rotary gum or paste-box D, which is to deliver adhesive gum to a roller, E, that has its hearings in ears projecting from the platform directly above another similar roller F, as shown in fig. 4.

The paste-board, straw-board, or other material from the frame, as shown; said roller G being in rear 'of the gum-rollers.

The main feed-rollers H are in front of the gumrollers, and on about the same plane with them.

The material from the roller G passes first through a slotted guide-plate, b, then between therollers E F,

to the feed-rollers which push it forward toward the cutting and folding apparatus.

The gum-roller E is protected at the middle, so-that it will only come in contact with the gum at the ends,

and has small indentations at these ends which take up the gum to convey it to the paste-board. The boxmaterial will therefore only be gummed at the edgesand at certain required intervals.

The gum and feed-rollers receive their motion by suitable intermediate gearing from a toothed wheel, 0, which .is hung at the side of the frame, and which turns loose on its axle d, figs. 2 and 1.

A crank, e, of said axle is, by means of a rod, f, connected'with a lever, g, which is pivoted to one side of the frame, and which has a projectingipin or roller, h, fitting into a cam-groove of an cccentric,-I, mounted on the shaft 0. I I

f The crank c has a projecting spring catch, 1', work- 'ing against pins j that project from the wheel 0.

Thus, as by the action of the cam I the lever g'is oscillated, the crank 0 will also be oscillated, and will impart intermittant rotary motion to the wheel 0 by means of the catch i and pinsj in the direction of the arrow2, fig. 1.

Between the gum and feed-rollers and between the latter and the cutting apparatus the material from the rollerG is supported by and guided between slotted bars or double-wire rodsk k, as shown, which allow the feeding apparatus to be placed some distance in rear of the-cutting and molding-devices.

The rollers F and H are grooved to bars 70.

J represents an endless chain consisting of a series of rectangular frames or receptacles, m m, which have admitthese projectingears I 1,-through which the connecting-p a n are fittcd as shown.;,.

,Each receptacle or frame in is as large as a box be made in the machine;

This chain is placed longitudinally upon the platform B, and around a curved plate, K, suspended from the same, as shown.

An outer shield, 0, secured by braces pto the frame A supports the chain and protects it under the plate K.

From the end of each receptacle m projects a small block, 1.

Thcschlocks serve as abutments for the feedingpawls L, which are pivoted to a sliding plate, M, that is dovetailed between guide-ribs q q, fig. 3, which projcct from the under side of the plate B, the pawls being held up by springs t.

' The plate M is, by a short link, s, fig. 4, connected with a lever, N, that is pivoted to the frame A.

A pin projects from the lower end of the lever N into a cam-groove of an eccentric, O, that is mounted upon the shaft 0.

As the shaft G revolves, the lever N will be oscil lated, and will move the plate M backward and forward.

During the forward stroke the pawls' L, fitting through slots of the plate B, strike the blocks 0 of a receptacle, m, and move the chain J forward the length .of one such receptacle. Thus the feed of the chain is produced. v The material from the roller G is, by the feed-rollers,-conveyed to the molding apparatus under a reciprocating plunger, 1

Before reaching the same, however, it is subjected to the action of a pair of cutters R R, and of a single .c-utter, S.

from which the boxes are to be made, is wound upon a roller, G, that'h'as its lieaii'ngs' in bars a that project:

The cutters R R are, by pins a u, pivoted to cars prqjcotingfrozn :1 platform, T, fig. .2, that- -s by. posts,

supported above the main platform B, "as shown.

, The cutters It R are above on opposite sides of the: paper or material, and each has two parallel cuttiugand forces them thereby into the paper.

The outer, that .is the rear,edge of the elevated platform T carries two springs a, which are pushed aside by the cutters R during their descent, and which serve as supports for the paper' to he out. These springs prevent the cut edges of the paper from being carried and bent down by the cutters.

When the incisions w have been made by the cut tcrs R the material is fed along under the plunger P until it strikes abutting ears or lugs b that project from the platform T, as'shown.

Then the cutter S is brought down and separates the end of the paper from the roll. The piece thus separated is illustrated in fig. 7.

tant from each side. 1

The corner flaps 0 formed by the incisions w in each blank W are gummed, while the spaces between them are not gummed.

The knife S,'whi'ch is at one end pivoted to the platform or frame, is at the other end connected by a rod, (1, with a pivoted lever, e, which lever hasaprojectiug arm, 1, that is actuated by a crank, g, of the shaft 0 once during every revolution of the latter.

Whenever'the crank g strikes the arm f the knife S is suddenly brought down to out off the blank W.

As soon as the crank has passedthe arm theknife It is of rectangularform, and has two lncisions w w in each end, equidis' is at once elevated by a spring, h, which acts against the under side of a pin, i, that projects fromthe rod d, as shown.

"The'knife is by means of this spring it raised to clear the material, so that it will not interfere with the further motion of the same.

In the platforms T and B are, directly under the plunger P, rectangular apertures, as large as the out- I side of the box to be made, while the lower face of the plunger is as large as the inside of said box.

A follower, Q, as large as the apertures in the plates B and T, or smaller, is arranged below the.

plates Z l and mhi', which are somewhat bent in- I ward.

Upon the plate T are, at the sides of its apertures, arranged plates or bars X X, which have shanks a n,-

-that are fitted into grooved guides, or that, if slotted as shown, are fitted around guides 1'", formed on said plate, and that are forced inward by means of springs o 0, so that they form yielding sides above the aperture. I

In a similar manner are yielding ends provided on said aperture by means of plates or bars Y, which, with their shanks ,1), are fitted into grooved guides, or,

when slotted, around inner guides j formed on the plate T, and which are forced inward by springs q.

The springs o and q are not very powerful, so that they will allow the plates X and Y to move outward as soon as the plunger moves down. Their upper in-, ner corners are rounded so that the plunger can read-l ily move them apart when it is carried down.

The guides t j carry projecting top plates k, which serve as buttons for holding the plates X Y in place. By taking off these buttons the said plates can be; readily removed.

When a blank, \V, has been moved forward against the plates b,'the follower is thrown up by its spring is, so that its surface will stand flush with that of the plates X Y. The blank is larger than the follower, and rests partly on the plates X Y, as indicated in fig. 3

ture of the plate T, and above that of the plate B.

The cam V now draws down the plunger, which is pressed upon the follower, and which carries the blank down with it. The sides of the blank are thereby turned up with the corner of flaps c, as in fig. 8, while the ends are also-turned up between the sides, as shown.

The aperture in the plate T has longitudinal extensions, to admit the passage of the corner pieces 0'.

The plates X Y yield to the outward pressure of the; plunger, but hold the vertically turned-up sides and ends of the blank close against the sides and ends of the plunger, and cause, by their inward pressure, sharp corners to be made by the plunger.

The plunger and follower move steadily down un-, til the face of the latter is a short distance below the lower side of the platform T.

On the under side of the platform T are horizonta slide-plates Z Z, one in front and one in rear of the plunger.

From each of these slide-plates projects, toward the 5plunger, a pair of spring plates, 7, as shown it fig.

The plates Z Z are, by means of links-s s, connected with a pivoted lever, A, in such manner that,

. when said leyer is swung in the direction of the arrow 3, fig. 5, they. will be moved toward each other.

A receptacle, m, of the chain J, is under the aper The lcver'A' is, by means of rods 11 t, connected with a lever, B, which is pivoted to the'side of the machine, and which is oscillated by means of a cam, U,of the shaft 0.

When the follower and plunger are with their faces some distance below the platform T, the slides Z are moved inward, so that their plates '1" will strike against the extremities c of the sides of the box, and will fold them over against the ends of the box.

These pieces 0 having been gummed, will adhere to the ends, and will, when the gum is dry, retain all parts in the position shown in fig. 9.

In order to accommodate the folding of the corners c, the end spring plates m are made similar to inverted letters T, as shown in'fig. 4, so that the plates 0* will work above their heads, iu line with their shanks.

The plates 0" are, by their slides, at once withdrawn-after they have folded the corner pieces 0 The plunger now continues its downward motion until the face of the follower is flush with the platform B, when the box will have been inserted in. the receptacle m of the chain J. i

The follower is now, by a spring catch, a, that is pivoted to the under side of the platform B, as in fig. 6, and that fits over a shoulder or projecting spring, '0', of the shank j locked in this its lowest position, while the plunger again moves up.

The spring platc's E m spring in above the edges of the box as soon as the same has been deposited in the receptacle m of the chain, and hold the box thereby down to prevent its being again drawn up by the ascending plunger.

In the face of the follower is or may be formed a .small depression, as indicated in fig. 3, while the ,pluuger is perfbrated, its apertures extending from the bottom through the sides,'as alsoshotvii in fig; 3.

When the plunger moves up,the apertures,throughthe plunger, prevent the formation of a vacuum under it when it ascends, and the consequent elevation of the box.

As soon as the plunger has moved up, the chain J is moved ahead by the pawls L catching against the ears 7' of one of the receptacles m.

The box isthen carried in its receptacle m away from the follower and another recc tacle m is brolwht over the same.

As soon as a new box-receptacle has arrived over the follower, the catch a is, by a pin 10', that projects from the slide M, turned so as to release the follower,

which is, by its spring is, or by simple spring action,

at once thrown up against the blank, which has in the mean time been deposited on the platform T under the plunger.

Under the follower is arranged, in guides a x, that project from the under side of the bed B, or from the frame A, a vertical slide-bar, I), which has at its upper end two projecting fingers :11 3 far enough apart to fit against the inner sides of a box-receptacle, m.

A spring, s, has the tendency to elevate the bar I) in its guides. When, after the chain has made a motion, the follower is thrown up by the spring 7. the bar D is also thrown up, so that its fingers fit into a box-receptacle, m, as indicated in fig. 4.

These fingers have rounded outer ends, and will adjust the receptacle m in the proper position under the plunger, so that the place for the next box will be clearly defined.

The upward motion ofthe bar D is arrested by a. shoulder or projection, a of the latter, striking against one of the guide-arms \Vhen the follower is pushed down by the plunger, it strikes against the upper ends of the fingers g/, and forces them down with it, and holds them down un' der the platform, while it is locked by the catch n.

The adjustirig fingers are thus out of the way, while the chain receives the box and during the motion of the chain. But as soon as the pawls L have pushed the chain, their slide liberates the follower, and the fingers spring up under the follower to adjust the chain in the proper exact position.

To the ends of each box-receptacle in, of the chain, are, in ears I) that project from the chain, and by pins 0*, pivoted plates (1 that can be swung out, as in fig. 3, to be out of the boxes or into the same. From each pivoted plate projects a pin, e'-.

When a receptacle, 111, receives a box, the plates at are swung out, and continue to' be so until such receptacle arrivesat the forward end of the platform B.

There an inclined hoop, E, is arranged on the platform, on which hoop the pins 0 slide up, whereby the plates d are gradually swung up and inward, untll they finally drop into the box.

They then serve to hold the ends of the box against the ends of the receptacle, to prevent the end pieces 0 from working loose, while the boxes are conveyed along between the plates K and o.

The boxes, as they pass slowly through this channel with the intermittent mot-ion of the chain, will become thoroughly dry, so that they will be complete and perfect when they again arrive at the rear end of the platform B.

At the rear end of the platform is supported on an elevated frame, f a backward and downward-extending plate, E, which is pointed at its rear end, as shown in fig. 2.

The point of the plate F fits under the pins 0 of the plates (1, as the same arrive at the rear end of the frame, and as the pins 0 slide up on the inclined plane of the plate F they are gradually elevated and thrown .out,.s.o that the plates (1 will come out of the boxes.

The boxes finally arrive over an aperture, g, of the platform B, and under a plunger, G, which is secured to a vertically-sliding frame, H, that is, by means of a rod, h, connected with a lever, I, that is pivoted to the frame A, and operated by a cam, J, of the shaft 0.

When a box arrives above the aperture 9 the plunger G is moved down, and discharges it from the machine. I

Thus, once during every revolution of the shaft 0, the cutters R make their incisions, the cutter S separates a blank; the plunger, with the side and end plates X Y Z on, forms a box, and the chain conveys one finished box away from the molding apparatus, and carries it to the discharge-opening.

All these functions being performed simultaneously, or nearly so, a number of boxes is at once under course of construction, and by the continuous uninterrupted and entirely automatic action of the machine, large quantities of boxes can in a short time be made with unusual accuracy, neatuess and despatch.

It is evident that the operating-cams on the shaft C may be so shaped that the functions of the mechanism may be doubled, trebled, or furthermore increased during one revolution of the shaft, in which case a slower motion of the shaft would be required.

\Vhen the material on a roller, G, has been used up, another filled roller is readily put into its place, the hearings in the arm a being open at one end or side, to facilitate the removal and insertion of such rollers. Y

Having thus described my invention,

.What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The endless chain J, composed of the jointed box-receptacles m m, when arranged on a paper or straw-board box machine, to receive, retain, convey, and discharge the finished boxes, substantially as herein shown and described.

'2. The combination, with the endless chain, of folding plates al (1", box-receptacles m, and the inclines E F, all arranged and operating together as set forth.

3. The application to a paper-box machine, and the combination with each other of the reciprocating plunger P, spring follower Q, sliding side and end pieces X Y, stationary spring plates 1' m','and sliding lap-folders 1" r", all arranged and operating substantially as herein shown anddescribed.

4. The combination of incisors R R, with a blankcutter, S, operating subsequently and independently, and having an'instantaneous spring movement, as shown and described.

5. The spring-supports a a, when arranged in combination with the nicking-kuives R R, substantially as herein shown and described, for the purpose speciand ends ofthe box firmly and vertically against the plunger, substantially as herein shown and described. '1} The, stationary side and end spring-plates l m,

when arranged below the slide plates X Y, for the purpose of forming the lower part of the mold, and for preventing the ascending plunger from elevating the finished box, as specified.

8. The horizontal folders r a", in combination with spring-plates l l, and plunger 1?, arranged on a paper-box machine, for the purpose of folding the ends of the sides of the box so that the parts thus folded will secure all the parts of the box in the desired po-v sition, as set forth.

9. The spring catch a, when arranged to arrest the follower, when pushed down, so that the chain will be free to move, as set forth, and the combination of the said spring catch with the pin 10, or its equivalent, for disengaging it, all arranged and operating substantially as herei n shown and described.

10. The reciprocating plunger G, when arranged as described, for discharging the finished boxes from the endless chain J, substantially as herein shown and described.

11. The combination of a perforated plunger, P,

Witnesses JAS. M. Wtswnnn, STILLMAN A. EATON. 

